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Rangers tap allies as time runs low for Young

Rangers tap allies as time runs low for Young

By T.R. Sullivan
/
MLB.com |

ARLINGTON -- The Rangers have enlisted the Dallas Cowboys in their bid to get third baseman Michael Young elected to the All-Star Game.

The Cowboys are sending e-mail messages to their fans and using their social media outlets to urge everybody to vote for Young. The 2010 All-Star Game Final Vote sponsored by Sprint continues on texasrangers.com and MLB.com until 3 p.m. CT today.

"Michael needs every fan's vote to go to the All-Star Game," said Jason Whitten, the Cowboys five-time Pro Bowl tight end. "He's not only having another great year, but he's also the American League's lucky charm. Mike has been an All-Star for the last six years, and the AL has won all of those games. Let's help him go back."

The Rangers are already teaming up with the Nationals to have both their third basemen elected to this year's All-Star Game.

Young and Ryan Zimmerman of the Nationals are each in this year's Final Vote, and the players' two clubs are working together to try to get both selected.

The project, called "Third Base Ticket," is being promoted at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington and Nationals Park until Thursday. Fans can also hear about the promotion on the radio and on each team's official website.

"I hope everything works out for him. He's a great player, having a great year," Young said of Zimmerman. "Obviously, his team has gotten a lot of attention recently. He's been at the forefront of that for years now. He's a great player, and I have a lot of fun watching him play, even though I don't get to see him very often."

Additionally, both players have taped video spots that are running at each other's ballpark. Although Young didn't want to promote himself, he gladly helped out Zimmerman.

"I won't be doing any personal campaigning for myself," Young said. "I'm going to make sure I keep my goal where it should be, which is helping our team win games. It's really not me to sit there and talk about myself a lot."

Going into Wednesday night's game against the Indians, Young was hitting .306 with 11 home runs and 51 RBIs, while Zimmerman was hitting .293 with 16 home runs and 46 RBIs.

As of Thursday morning, Yankees outfielder Nick Swisher had a slight lead over Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis. Young is in fourth place. Also in the running are White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko and Twins outfielder Delmon Young.

The Rangers have also taken additional measures to push for Young's selection with the launching of the "I Like Mike" campaign, in which fans will be automatically eligible for a 50 percent discount in all ticket categories up to $30 for a selected Rangers home game in August or September. Full information on the discount can to be found at
texasrangers.com/allstar.

The Rangers are also offering an All-Star sweepstakes prize of a suite for 20 for a Rangers game in 2010. Fans will be automatically registered for the sweepstakes each of the first 25 times they vote for Young in the All-Star Game Final Vote sponsored by Sprint.

There is no limit to the number of times that fans may vote in this election. However, fans will be registered to win for the sweepstakes just the first 25 times they vote for Young. All rules for the sweepstakes can be found on
texasrangers.com/allstar.

Fans can also vote for Young during Wednesday's game with the Indians at the Rangers All-Star Balloting Center, which is on the main concourse behind home plate at the Ballpark.

"I love going," Young said of the All-Star Game. "I've had an absolute blast at every one I've been to. But whatever happens, happens. If I go, I'll be very honored, I'll be happy."

T.R. Sullivan is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.